The National Institute of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (NI-MSME) at Yousufguda saw men and women dressed in different costumes particular to countries like Africa, the Middle East and South Asia on Thursday. They were here as part of the eight-week international executive development programmes sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs.
“It’s wonderful to be here. India is an amazing country. I learnt a lot here though the food is a bit spicy. I love the chicken biryani and we enjoyed visiting the Golconda Fort,” says Aya Thio, rolling her eyes. She hails from Cote D’IVoire in Africa and wants to train travel agents in her country on promoting tourism.
“I am familiar with Indian culture and movies, but I would like to take up agro-based micro firms involving women to promote self-employment,” says Dilangi Niluka Gunawardhana from Sri Lanka. Both these women work for the government, so does Alphonse Loua, working with agriculture department in the Republic of Guinea (Africa).
“We gained a lot of knowledge on entrepreneurship, skill development and agriculture-based activities. I think India will be a developed nation in 10 years,” he attests. The trio are among the 155 delegates from 44 countries who have completed the programmes.
“This is a partnership programme where we express our solidarity with you in helping promote entrepreneurship and improve skills. What you learnt here will change your personnel and professional outlook,” was the message by Dinkar Asthana, Joint Secretary, External Affairs, after handing over the certificates to participants.
Four programmes in micro-enterprises, agro & food enterprises, tourism & hospitality development, entrepreneurship & skill development and enterprise promotion strategies in agri-business ventures were part of the programme.
Short-term programmes
“We have been conducting short-term induction programmes for government officers and others from inception (1967), but this year we will be celebrating 50 years of international programmes,” explains Director-General, NI-MSME, M. Chandrasekhar Reddy.
Fellowship for scholars
A self-sustaining institute under the Ministry of MSME since 2001, there were 1,200 programmes last year where 40,000 from within the country and abroad participated. “We have no annual budget and we generate our own resources. This year, we have offered fellowship programmes to 10 research scholars,” he says.
The institute also has plans to become a full-fledged university by the next academic year and a detailed project report was being prepared by a Delhi-based agency following the Centre’s nod to offer postgraduate and doctoral programmes. “We will make use of the 30 acre land available nearby for the proposed university estimated to cost up to ₹500 crore,” he adds.
